What can I tell people to better understand why I am a vegetarian?

Question

My reasons are for animal rights and health reasons. I tell them I care for animals and the environment. And that the meat is actually very unhealthy and usually full of hormones and what not.

But I usually just get laughed at. (I am only 17 so most of my friends are very immature)

Answer 1

i've been a vegetarian for 12years, and many people just don't get it.

just be sure not to force your opinions on them, and they should in turn not force their opinions on you.

there are many famous athletes that are vegetarian, and a lot data on the health benefits. arm yourself with some statistics.

Answer 2

tell them to watch meet your meat!

then maybee they'll understand.

Answer 3

If you want to be respectful, tell them you are vegetarian because you don't support the meat industry and how they treat animals inhumanely, and also because meat is unhealthy and causes cardiovascular disease and even cancer.

Or if you want to be shut them up just say you're vegetarian because you don't want to eat dead corpses that were tortured and injected with hormones and chemicals before being brutally slaughtered.

Answer 4

"When I have a choice between a compassionate choice and a non-compassionate choice, I choose the compassionate one.  That's all."

Answer 5

wow,i just wanna say ur not alone,im not sure how im gonna tell me friends either.sorry if im not answering,just want to let u know ur not the only one dealing with it

Answer 6

I'm actualy a 14 year old vegetarian (well, reciently vegan). I have found that my "best" friends are the ones that will actualy come to my defense when somebody bugs me and the jerks whom I don't realy like are the ones who laugh.

If you explain your beliefs to your "friends" and they LAUGH at you, perhaps you should get new friends. Good friends respect eatch other's beliefs (even if they don't agree)

(( P.S: I am a chick, so I'm not absolutly sure how this applies to guys. Just letting you know. ))

Answer 7

Why should you have to explain your choice to anyone? The next time someone asks you why you chose not to eat meat, ask them why they chose to murder innocent animals and subject their bodies to harmful hormones and antibiotics.

Tell them to look you up after another 30 years of putting such impurities into their bodies and THEN see who is laughing.

Answer 8

I'm not a vegetarian, but your reasons make sense to me. If someone can't see where you're coming from don't waste another minute trying to explain it.

Answer 9

I like Max J's answer. It projects confidence and shows you've done your homework, without going into the specific reasons. That will stop some people from responding with laughter.

I feel sorry for anyone who laughs. It shows that a) they have a limited outlook on life, and b) they're scared by new, strange ideas. The kids in your school must lead very sheltered lives, because vegetarianism is popular with teens in other schools.

Whether we support vegetarianism or not, it's important to think about what we're doing in life and make conscious decisions, not just living like robots. You're to be congratulated for considering how you live and making a change.

Answer 10

i thing its great that u dont eat meat

u have good reasons; just ignor them

if there ur friends they will understand

Answer 11

ppl dont care

they will never understand...show them a youtube video bout how factory animals are treated

Answer 12

Don't tell them.

It's none of their business.

Why do you want to tell them anyway? If they offer you animal food, just say "No thanks," instead of "I'm a vegetarian, and here's why: bla bla bla..."

Answer 13

I'm not a vegitarian, but a simple answer is "It's what I've decided is the right choice for me."

Answer 14

Download mp4/3gp version footages / videos into your iPod or mobile devices.

Answer 15

why do you feel you need to explain yourself?  you're living in a manner that's healthier and more ethical than the vast majority of people - be happy with that and skip the part about explaining anything to anyone.

Answer 16

im 16 and i get the same thing... and i am a vegetarian for the same reasons...it was really hard telling my mom at first cuz she didnt understand...now she understands and people dont get it and they ask me stupid questions i hate that...i just tell them my reasons with a straight face and id they laugh i turn away and keep eating....or repeat meat is murder until they go away..